Yachting Glossary - O

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oar	A stick with a blade at the end used to row a rowboat. Oars are different than paddles because they have a provision to be secured to the rowboat for rowing, such as an oarlock.
oarlock	A device to attach oars to a rowboat, allowing the operator to row rather than paddle the boat.
observed position	A position or fix determined by observing landmarks or other objects to find the position.
observation spot	A position of the precise latitude and longitude
occulting lights	A navigational light which turns on and off in a regular pattern, but is on more than it is off. The opposite of a blinking light.
ocean	The large body of salt water covering seven tenths of the earth.
off the wind	Sailing with the wind coming from the stern or quarter of the boat.
offing	seaward, a safe distance from shore
offshore	Away from land, toward the water. See inland.
offshore wind	Wind that is blowing away from the land, towards the water.
old salt	a very experienced and/or old sailor
on the beam	To the side of the boat at right angles, abeam.
on the bow	To the bow of the boat, forward of the beam.
on the quarter	To the stern of the boat, aft of the beam.
on the wind	Sailing close hauled. Sailing toward the wind as much as possible with the wind coming from the bow.
onboard	on the boat
one-design:	Any boat built to certain standards or rules so that is like all others in the same class.
onshore wind	A wind blowing onto the land
open	A location that is not sheltered from the wind and seas. An open location would not make a good anchorage.
osmosis	Osmosis is when water penetration occurs through the gel coat and into the laminate below. Osmosis is marked by blistering
out of trim	Sails that are not properly arranged for the point of sail that the boat is on. The sails may be luffing or have improper sail shape, or the boat may be heeling too much. These conditions will slow the boat down.
outboard	On the side of the hull that the water is on. Outboard engines are sometimes just called outboards.
outboard engine	An engine used to power a small boat. Outboard engines are mounted on a bracket aft of the stern of the boat.
outhaul	A line used to tension the foot of a sail, used to maintain proper sail shape.
outrigger	A floatation device attached to one or both sides of the hull to help prevent a capsize.
overall length	The total length of the boat, including any object protruding from the bow or the stern. Also known as LOA.
overboard	In the water outside of the vessel.
overfall	Dangerously steep and breaking seas due to opposing currents and wind in a shallow area.
overhang	The area of the bow or stern which hangs over the water.
overhaul	To sort out mess with the rigging
override	A line that becomes improperly wrapped over itself and fouls a winch.
owner's flag	A boat owner's private pennant.

Yachting Glossary - O

WORLD of YPI